Courtesy of Midland Athletics
SEWARD, Neb. – Midland University traveled to Seward, Nebraska for the start of the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Postseason Tournament. Sixth-seeded Midland faced third-seeded Morningside University in the first game of the day at Plum Creek Park. It took extra innings before the Warriors came away with the 10-9 victory.
After a scoreless 1st inning for both teams, Morningside struck their bats in the 2nd with a two-run home run to take the early lead.
Yealex Lopez started the Warriors in the top of the 3rd with a double to center field. Hadyn Crawford fired up his bat and homered to left field to bring Lopez home, tying the ballgame at 2-2. Connor Petersen kept the momentum going with a single and then Jacob Liquoridoubled to left center to bring him home to put Midland in front, 3-2.
After a pair of scoreless innings, the Mustangs’ offense heated up in the 6th inning, scoring four runs off six hits to recapture the lead, 6-3.
The Warriors got back on the board in the 7th, as Reyes singled to right field and then Lopez brought him home with a double.
Morningside extended its lead once more, jumping in front 9-4, with three runs off four hits in the bottom of the 7th.
Crawford started the Warriors off with a double in the 8th. Alec Villanueva carried the momentum with a two-out double to right center to bring home, Trey Rodriguez who had come on as a pinch runner. Jayden Gibson helped cut into the lead with a two-run homer, bringing the deficit down to 9-7.
Needing two runs to stay alive, Midland got just that in the 9th as Reyes singled to begin the inning. During the next at-bat, Lopez was hit by the pitch to put two on base with no outs. A fielder’s choice put runners on the corners. Crawford came through with a clutch single to right, driving in the first run. The Warriors would get the tying run as the Mustangs’ relief pitcher sent the ball to the backstop, allowing Ben Kirkland to score.
Midland worked around a pair of base runners in the bottom of the 9th to send the game to extras.
After a scoreless 10th, Dax Wandler reached on a fielding error with one out. Petersen followed with a single and then Tyler Foster drew a walk to load the bases.
The Mustangs’ pitcher was off target once more, this time hitting Alec Villanueva to bring in the go-ahead run
Leading 10-9, the Warriors sat the Mustangs down in order as they took the game 10-9 to advance in the winner’s bracket.
Trey Nichols earned the win for the Warriors in relief. He pitched the final 2.2 innings, allowing one hit and striking out one.
Statistical Standouts
- Hadyn Crawford: 3-for-5, R, 3 RBI, 2B, HR
- Alec Villanueva: 3-for-5, R, 2 RBI, 2 2B
- Jayden Gibson: 1-for-5, R, 2 RBI, HR, BB
- Yealex Lopez: 2-for-5, R, RBI, 2 2B
- Jacob Liquori: 1-for-5, RBI, 2B
- Alec Villanueva: 3-for-5, R, 2 RBI, 2 2B
Midland (22-26) will take face No. 24-ranked Concordia (36-15, 21-7) in the matchup of day one winners on Friday, May 5. The first pitch between the Warriors and Bulldogs is scheduled for noon in Seward at Plum Creek Park.
